Apparatus and method of repairing cracks on a surface

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method of repair cracks on a surface. The apparatus is a patch having a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is constructed of an elastomeric material and includes an exterior surface and an interior surface having an adhesive portion. The second layer is utilized to cover the interior surface during storage of the patch. The patch is sized to fit over a crack. The second layer is removed from the first layer by applying at least one strip of tape to the exterior surface of the sheet of material and apply a pulling force on the strip of tape, thereby removing the second layer from the first layer. A first half portion of the first layer is applied to one side of the crack. The first layer is then stretched over the crack and affixed on a second opposite side of the crack. The patch is then painted to conceal the patch from view.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to surface repairs, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method of repairing cracks on a surface.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] It is quite common for a house or building to settle or move over a period of time. Without regard to the type of foundation used or the soil on which a house or building is situated, a house or building will continue to move over a period of time. Oftentimes, the movement of the house causes the house to “settle,” causing the various surfaces of the building to also move. This settling often results in cracks in the walls and ceilings. Since it is nearly impossible to prevent the cracks from forming on the surfaces of the building, the next best solution to the problem is to repair the damage done to the surface. Existing methods of repairing the cracks often include the use of a mud or spackle to fill the crack. The mud or spackle is placed within the crack, with its exterior surface being smoothed out to allow the spackle or mud to conform to its surrounding surfaces. Additionally, homeowners sometimes resort to “taping and bedding” the damaged area.

[0005] However, these existing methods of repairing cracks have several disadvantages. First, to properly cover the crack, as well as conceal the repaired area, takes a skill which most workman do not possess. The spackled or mudded sections of wall are usually easily discernible. In addition, because a building constantly shifts over a period of time, the crack may narrow or open to a greater extend than when the crack was first repaired. With mud or spackle, if the crack closes, the mud is exuded from the crack, leaving an unsightly bulge. If the crack opens to reveal a larger gap, the crack reforms over the repaired area.

[0006] An apparatus and method is needed which easily and effectively covers cracks. The apparatus and method must be easy to utilize and require no special skills or experience. Additionally, an apparatus is needed which allows the crack to be covered at all times during the shifting of the building. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus and method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention is a patch for repairing a crack on a surface. The patch includes a sheet of material constructed of an elastomeric material. In addition, the sheet has an interior surface with an adhesive portion and an exterior surface. The sheet is affixed to the surface by applying the interior surface of the sheet to the surface, thereby covering a crack formed on the surface. Paint may be optionally applied to the crack to conceal the patch.

[0008] In another aspect, the present invention is a method of repairing a crack on a surface. The method begins by positioning a sheet of elastomeric material on the crack. Next, the sheet of elastomeric material is affixed to the surface. Paint may be optionally applied to the sheet of elastomeric material.

[0009] In still another aspect, the present invention is a method of repairing a crack on a surface. The method begins by removing a cover layer from a sheet of elastomeric material. The sheet of elastomeric material has an interior surface with an adhesive portion and an exterior surface. The cover layer covers the adhesive portion during storage of the sheet of elastomeric material. The sheet of elastomeric material is then positioned on the crack. Next, a first half portion of the sheet of elastomeric material is affixed to the surface adjacent a first side of the crack. The sheet of elastomeric material is then stretched over the crack. A second half portion is affixed to the surface adjacent a second side opposite the first side of the crack. Paint is then applied to the sheet of material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, in conjunction with the accompanying specification, in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a front view of a patch in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a first layer and a second layer of the patch of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the second layer removed from the first layer;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a side view of a conventional roll of tape;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a front view of the patch applied to a crack;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a front view of the patch with two sections of tape applied prior to removal of the second layer from the first layer;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the patch positioned over the crack on a wall in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018]FIG. 8 is a flow chart outlining the steps for repairing a crack on a wall according to the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019] An apparatus and method of repairing or hiding a crack is disclosed. FIG. 1 is a front view of a patch 10 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The patch preferably includes a perimeter 12 having serrated edges. The patch may be constructed of any elastomeric material which stretches and is biased to return to its original configuration. The material is preferably constructed of a thin, polyurethane material.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a first layer 20 and a second layer 22 of the patch 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the second layer removed from the first layer. The first layer includes an exterior surface 24 having no adhesive qualities. On the opposite side, the first layer has an interior surface 26 having adhesive qualities. The second layer is utilized as a cover layer of material covering the adhesive qualities. The second layer is constructed of a material allowing easy removal of the second layer from the interior surface 26 and its adhesive bond.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a side view of a conventional roll of tape 30. The tape includes an adhesive side 32 and a non-adhesive side 34. Preferably, the tape includes a light adhesive allowing for easy removal of the tape, however, any strip of material having an adhesive on at least one side may be utilized.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a front view of the patch 10 applied to a crack 40. When the patch is applied, the patch covers the crack. Paint may be optionally applied to the patch, thereby hiding the patch.

[0023]FIG. 6 is a front view of the patch 10 with two sections 50 and 52 of tape 30 applied prior to removal of the second layer 22 from the first layer 20. Prior to applying the patch to the crack, the patch is sized to completely cover the crack. The patch may be cut from a sheet of material having the first and second layers. The edges of the patch may be serrated to conceal the patch when applied to a textured surface. The patch is positioned on a flat surface, with the first layer having its exterior surface facing upwardly. Preferably, the two sections of tape are sized to a length at least the length of the sized patch. Each section of tape is then longitudinally applied to a portion of the tape, with each section of tape covering approximately half of the width of the patch. The adhesive side 32 is applied directly to the exterior surface of the patch for each section. The second layer 22 may then be removed by holding the second layer and pulling on one or both of the sections 50 and 52.

[0024]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the patch 10 positioned over the crack 40 on a wall 42 with the sections 50 and 52 removed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. After the second layer 22 is peeled away from the first layer, the internal surface 26 (having adhesive qualities) is exposed. A first half portion 60 of the patch is applied to the wall, where the first half portion is located on one side of the crack. The first half portion of the patch tape is held in position by the adhesive located on the interior surface 26, which is affixed directly to the wall 42. The second half portion 62 of the patch is then preferably grasped by the second section 52 of tape and stretched across the crack. The interior surface 26 of the second half of the patch is then affixed to the wall. Thus, the patch is stretched across the crack and affixed to the surface surrounding the crack.

[0025] Once the patch 10 is affixed to the wall and covers the crack, the patch may be painted to hide the patch from view. Because of the preferable use of serrated edges, the patch is difficult to see. In addition, the layer of material is thin and elastomeric, which enables the patch to conform to the wall. If the wall is textured, the patch also conforms to the texture of the wall.

[0026]FIG. 8 is a flow chart outlining the steps for repairing a crack 40 on a wall 42 according to the teachings of the present invention. With reference to FIGS. 1-8, the steps of the method will now be explained. In step 100, two sections 50 and 52 of the tape 30 are applied to the patch 10. Preferably, section 50 is applied to the first half portion 60 of the patch and the section 52 is applied to the second half portion 62 of the tape. Each section is applied to the exterior surface 24 of the first layer 20 of the patch. Next, in step 102, the second layer 22 of the patch is removed, thereby exposing the interior surface 26. The second layer may be removed by holding the second layer and pulling the sections, along with the first layer, away from the second layer. Prior to removing the second layer, the patch may be sized to cover the crack. If desired, the patch may be cut to fit over the crack. Additionally, the edges of the patch may be serrated to further conceal the patch when applied to a textured surface. In step 104, the patch is positioned over the crack 40. Next, in step 106, the first half portion 60 of the patch is affixed directly to the wall, on one side of the crack. In step 108, the second half portion is stretched over the crack and affixed to the wall on an opposite side of the crack. The patch is held in place by the adhesive of the interior surface applied to the wall. The method then moves to step 110 where the paint is applied to the patch, thereby concealing the patch.

[0027] During movement of the wall, the crack may open or close. In either situation, the patch conforms to the wall. If the crack expands, the patch, having elastomeric qualities, stretches outwardly while still covering the crack. If the crack narrows, the patch returns to its original size, thus enabling the patch to conform to the wall and cover the crack.

[0028] The present invention provides many advantages over existing methods of hiding and repairing cracks. First, the present invention covers a crack during movement of the building. Specifically, if the cracks widens, the patch stretches with the widened crack. If the crack narrows, the patch returns to its original position. The present invention enables any person, without any special skills or experience, to hide or repair cracks. In addition, because of the thinness of the material used with the patch, as well as its elastomeric qualities, the patch conforms to a textured wall. The present invention may be used on any surface having cracks. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to households or buildings, but to any surface requiring repair.

[0029] It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the apparatus and method shown and described has been characterized as being preferred, it will be readily apparent that various changes and modifications could be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A patch for repairing a crack on a surface, said patch comprising: a sheet of material, said sheet constructed of an elastomeric material; said sheet having an interior surface with an adhesive portion; and said sheet having an exterior surface; whereby said sheet is affixed to the surface by applying the interior surface of said sheet to the surface, said sheet covering a crack formed on the surface.
 2. The patch for repairing a crack of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material includes a perimeter having a serrated edge.
 3. The patch for repairing a crack of claim 1 wherein paint is applied to said sheet when said sheet is affixed to the surface.
 4. The patch for repairing a crack of claim 1 further comprising a cover layer removably attached to said sheet of material, said cover layer covering the adhesive portion of said sheet when being stored.
 5. The patch for repairing a crack of claim 4 wherein said cover layer is removed from said sheet of material by applying at least one strip of tape to the exterior surface, the cover layer being removed by applying a pulling force to the strip of tape.
 6. A method of repairing a crack on a surface, said method comprising the steps of: positioning a sheet of elastomeric material on the crack; and affixing the sheet of elastomeric material to the surface.
 7. The method of repairing a crack on a surface of claim 6, wherein the sheet of elastomeric material includes an interior surface with an adhesive portion and an exterior surface; and further comprising, before the step of positioning a sheet of elastomeric material on the crack, the step of removing a cover layer from the sheet of elastomeric material, the cover layer covering the adhesive portion during storage of the sheet of elastomeric material.
 8. The method of repairing a crack on a surface of claim 7 wherein the step of affixing the sheet of elastomeric material to the surface includes applying the interior surface with the adhesive portion to the surface.
 9. The method of repairing a crack on a surface of claim 8 wherein the step of affixing the sheet of elastomeric material to the surface includes: affixing a first half portion to the surface adjacent a first side of the crack; and affixing a second half portion to the surface adjacent a second side opposite the first side of the crack.
 10. The method of repairing a crack on a surface of claim 9 wherein the step of affixing a second half portion to the surface includes stretching the sheet of elastomeric material over the crack.
 11. The method of repairing a crack on a surface of claim 6, further comprising, after the step of affixing the sheet of elastomeric material to the surface, the step of applying paint to the sheet of material.
 12. The method of repairing a crack on a surface of claim 6 further comprising, before the step of positioning a sheet of elastomeric material on the crack, the step of sizing the sheet of elastomeric material to cover the crack on the surface.
 13. The method of repairing a crack on a surface of claim 12 wherein the step of sizing the sheet of elastomeric material includes cutting a portion of the sheet of elastomeric material to a size to fit over the crack on the surface.
 14. The method of repairing a crack on a surface of claim 13 wherein the sheet of elastomeric material is cut in a manner providing a serrated perimeter.
 15. A method of repairing a crack on a surface, said method comprising the steps of: removing a cover layer from a sheet of elastomeric material, the sheet of elastomeric material having an interior surface with an adhesive portion and an exterior surface, the cover layer covering the adhesive portion during storage of the sheet of elastomeric material; positioning the sheet of elastomeric material on the crack; affixing a first half portion of the sheet of elastomeric material to the surface adjacent a first side of the crack; stretching the sheet of elastomeric material over the crack; affixing a second half portion to the surface adjacent a second side opposite the first side of the crack; and applying paint to the sheet of material.
 16. The method of repairing a crack on a surface of claim 15 wherein the step of removing a cover layer from a sheet of elastomeric material includes applying at least one strip of tape having an adhesive side to the sheet of material and peeling the cover layer away from the sheet of elastomeric material by pulling the strip of tape away from the sheet of elastomeric material.
 17. The method of repairing a crack on a surface of claim 16 wherein the step of stretching the sheet of elastomeric material over the crack includes grasping the strip of tape and pulling the tape over the crack. 